Art of Biodiversity

Grade Level: 4-8th grade (adaptable to any)

Subjects: Art, Language Arts

Setting: N.C. Zoo

Vocabulary: Biodiversity

Purpose: To familiarize students with values of biodiversity

Theme: Biodiversity has inspirational and cultural values.

Background and Procedure

Numerous people value the variety of life on Earth as an inspirational source for art, science and religion. Wild plants and animals are often held in high regard as cultural icons or symbols of a society’s values. One example of an international symbol is the dove carrying an olive branch to represent peace.

Many inspired works of art can be found here at the North Carolina Zoo (see "Artwork at the Zoo" below). Throughout your group’s visit, remind your students to keep an eye out for these works of art. Some pieces may be subtle, unlabeled or even within an exhibit; be sure to let your students find the artwork on their own. Whether it is a work of nature or a designer’s flair in crafting an exhibit, they may discover that artwork is all around them!

Give students their assignments before entering the Zoo. Tell them to locate at least five works of art on Zoo grounds that represent biodiversity in some way (students should be familiar with biodiversity concepts before given this assignment). You may have them keep a running list of all the works of art that they find.

For the five representing biodiversity, students should answer the following questions:

What aspect of biodiversity does this artwork represent? A habitat, a biome, an vent or a culture?
What message do you feel the artist was trying to convey?
What level of biodiversity (species, genetic or ecosystem) does it represent and why?
What words come to mind as you view the work of art, or how does it inspire you?

Wrap-Up

Either at the end of your visit or in the classroom have students choose one work of art, relating to biodiversity, that inspired them the most. Let each student present his or her answers to the questions above.

Extension

Further the experience by allowing students to create their own work of art based on their Zoo or other experience. Ask them how they were inspired and allow them to express this inspiration through drawing, sculpting or other art form.

Artwork at the Zoo

At Zoo Entrance Points
Title	Medium	Location
The Elephant Group	Cast silica bronze	Road into Zoo (off Zoo Parkway)
Sum of the Parts	Steel, bronze and brass	Zoo Entrance at North America
North America
Title	Medium	Location
Sonoran Snake	Clay	Sonoran Desert
Hummingbird Garden	Steel	Touch & Learn Center
Stone that Stands in Empty Sky	Steel and concrete	Between Red Wolf and Sonoran Desert
Zoological Egg Rest	Marble	Marsh
Cattail Gate	Steel and brass	Marsh
Bald Eagle with Salmon	Bronze	Osprey in Rocky Coast
Arctic Fox	Bronze	Arctic Foxes in Rocky Coast
Junction Plaza
Title	Medium	Location
Junction Springs	Ceramic tiles	Near the North America entry
Passages to the Continents	Steel	Entries into North America and Africa
Africa
Title	Medium	Location
Extinct Bird Garden	Steel	Near Aviary
Lioness and Cubs	Bronze	Lions
Giraffes	Bronze	Forest Edge
African Elephant	Bronze	Elephant overlook

e-mail this page print this page

N.C. Zoo is a member institution of AZA and an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, William G. Ross Jr. Secretary; Michael F. Easley, Governor. A part of the North Carolina Government portal.

The Zoo is closed Christmas day and during severe weather. Call our information line at: 1-800-488-0444.

Questions or Suggestions?

Please use this form.

Problems viewing this Web site? Check for help here.